Mask for learning to swim above and under water



Feb. 5, 1957 J. WALLACE MASK FOR LEARNING T0 SWIM ABOVE AND UNDER WATER Filed March 16. 1953' INVENTOR.

JAMES WALLACE United States Patent "cc MASK FOR LEARNING TO SWHVI ABOVE AND UNDER WATER James Wallace, St. Louis, Mo.

Application March'16, 1953, Serial No. 342,491'

6 Claims. (Cl. 1'28 145)j This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in swimming. masks for learning to swim above and under water. a

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mask for underwater usage which incorporates an inhaling tube and an exhaling tube, with means atthe' upper ends of? said tubes to prevent the accidental entry of water thereinto.

Another object is to provide a mask of the stated chara'cteriwhich includes a molded face-receiving portion and adjustable ratchet-type holding means.

'A further. object is to provide a mask of the stated character which maybe usedwith float mean's fonengag ing the breathing tubes and maintaining same above-the surface of the water.

These and other detailed, objects are obtained by the structure illustrated in the: accompanying drawing, in which i Figure 1 isa side" elevation of a swimming mask constructed'in accordance with andembodying the present invention, showing the mask in use above water.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the swimming mask as used under water and with a float supporting the breathing tubes.

Figure 3- is an enlarged front view of the: swimming mask with the breathing tubes disconnected.

Figure 4 is an enlarged front view of ratchet-type maskholdingmembers in operativeposition;

Figure, 5' is a, horizontal transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of. Figure 4.

Figure 6 is, a horizontal transverse section taken on the line 6.6 of Figure 3.

In the drawings,.1 designatesa swimmingsmask fabricated preferably of mold 'ed plastic being generally V- shaped in cross section and having a-pair of eye openings 2 each of which is provided with an inner annular groove for reception therein ofeye glass members 2. Integrally formed withmask land presented on either side. of the outer surface thereof is a pair of pipe sections 3, 3. Pipe sections 3, 3, each communicate with the interior of .mask. l through a short conduit, as at 4, at a point proximate the wearers nostrils and serve to reinforce or stiifen mask 1, Each pipe section '3, 3', is'c'onnected to a flekiblehosefi, 5, respectively, of any desiredlength and preferably of relatively reduceddiameter to permit an aintight joint with *the related pipe section .3; 3. Spacedly from mask ll each hose 5, 5', is engaged by mean's'ot" a collar orshprt tubular member 16,316, to

a. length of flexible tubing gil, 20', respectively, which has substantially the samediam'eter and physical character 2,780,224 Pate'nted Feb. 5, 1957 air may be supplied therethrough to the wearer of the mask for breathing. Were the wearer to inadvertently exhale through the line, ball valve 22 would be driven upwardly against the end of tubing 20 (as shown in dottedliues, in Figure 7) and effectively occlud'e such tubing so that air could not pass through tubing 20 for ultimate discharge.

A valve (not shown) similar" in all respects to valve 22 is provided in: the space between connected hose 5' and tubing 20. However, in this case, the confronting end of tubing 20- is provided with marginal recesses (not shown) so that an exactly opposite relation is created than thatwith respect to the other hose and tubing assembly above'described. Therefore, pipe section 3, hose 5', and tubing 20" cooperate to form an air outlet or exhalingline. By this particular valve arrangement, in exhalingofi the wearer, the ball check valve will be driven upwardly against the recessed end of tubing 20- and air will thus flow therearoundfor discharge.- It will be seen that through; gravity theinletline will normally be open and the outlet line normally closed.

The upper ends of each tubing section 20; 20-, are turned or bent in successive angles so that the extremity will be normally directed downwardly as toward the water surface. Each tubingsection 20-, 20, is provided proximate its upper end with a check valve assembly denotedbroadly 8, being-of the same general type-of valve as shown at 22 above described, which valve'assemblies are designed-to allow air flow so as not to interfere with the normal operation of the inletand outlet lines, but serves to preventthe inadvertent admission of water into the lines. Consequently, valves in each line will be identical as they are normally open, and are closed-by seating against the outer ends of tubing sections 20, 20, under influence of incoming water. Provided at the end of each tubing section 20, 26'', is a screen, indicated at 9, to obstruct the accidental movement into the lines of solid particles.

Provided for maintaining mask 1 in position, is a head harness comprising engageable, desirably metallic, fastener members 24-, 24', beingcurved lengthwisefor snug disposition against the rear of the wearers headand which are supported on opposite sides of mask 1 by a plurality of straps 25 formed of rubber or the like. Fastener 2 includes a centrally located projectinghook- 26 for selected engagement within one of a series of spacedapertures 27 formed in a corresponding central projecting portion of fastener '24. Thus, mask 1 is rendered completely adjustable by fasteners 24,, 24', so that mask 1 can be maintained in comfortable and yet fully effective position. It is to be noted that the -shaped cross section of mask 1 causes same to tightly, yet comfortably engage theiwearers face so that the same is secure against unauthorized entry of water or air alongthe edgeportions thereof;

In Figure 1, breathing hoses 5, 5, are attached to portions of the harness wherebysame are directed upwardly for maintenance of the upper portion thereof above the water surface. With mask 1 being used in this manner, the wearer may utilize a buoyant member 6, such as a pneumatic bladder, for remaining afloat. Buoyant member 6 can be engaged in any suitable .Way, such as by cords 10 'secured'to a band 28 encircling the wearers body.

Figure 2 shows mask 1 as used for under water swimming with hoses 5, 5', being supported as by appropriate brackets 29 to buoyant member 6 so that the upper ends of the breathing lines will be disposed upwardly of the water surface.

The mask of the present invention has proven through extensive tests that it is completely reliable and durable. The unique valve arrangement assures an adequate supply of air to the individual as well as complete discharge of exhalations. This feature clearly distinguishes over masks heretofore known which have consistently been imperfectly constructed causing exhaled air to become trapped with the individual being soon forced to the surface for lack of oxygen.

The details of construction can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention and the exclusive use of those modifications coming within the scope of the claims contemplated.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A breathing mask comprising a face-receiving portion having a pair of pipe sections opening at one end into the interior of the mask, each pipe section being engaged at its opposite end with a hose section, collar members, a tubing section retained by a collar member in communication with each hose section to present the inner end of the tubing section in spaced relation to the outer end of the associated hose section, a check valve provided in the space between each tubing section and its related hose section and being normally in contact with the end surface of the adjacent hose section, the end of one hose section being marginally recessed whereby the related valve will be in normally open position to permit entry of air into the mask, the end of the other hose section being co-planar whereby the associated valve will be in normally closed position.

2. A breathing mask for under water usage comprising a flexible, full-face receiving portion adapted for snug engagement about the wearers face, having a pair of relatively short pipe sections integrally formed therewith and opening at one end into the interior of the mask adjacent the wearers nostrils, said pipe sections being flexible and extending laterally in opposite directions from said facereceiving portion, a hose section engaged to each pipe section at its outer end, a sleeve-forming member engaging each hose section at its outer end to the inner end of a flexible tubing section, the outer end margin of each hose section being maintained spacedly from the inner end of the related tubing section, a ball check valve accommodated in the space between the hose sections and the associated tubing sections, the outer end margin of one of said hose sections being co-planar and the opposed end margin of the related tubing sections being marginally recessed, the outer end margin of the other of said hose sections being marginally recessed with the opposed end margin of the related tubing section being co-planar, whereby one of said ball check valves will normally retain its related hose section in closed condition and the other of said ball check valves will normally retain its related hose section in open condition, said tubing sections at their outer ends being reversely bent for customary presentation above the water level, a check valve provided at the extremity of the bent end of said tubing sections, said check valves being normally open and adapted for closure by liquid pressure, so as to prevent the entry of water into the tubing sections.

3. A breathing mask as described in claim 9 wherein the end of the tubing section confronting the marginally recessed end of the one hose section is substantially coplanar so that When the valve is presented thereagainst air cannot escape, the end of the other hose section being substantially co-planar with the confronting end margin of the related tubing section being marginally recessed.

4. A breathing mask comprising a face-receiving portion of substantially V-shape in cross section, a head harness including a pair of cooperative fastener elements, flexible straps engaging said elements to opposite sides of the face-receiving portion of the mask, said fastener elements being vertically arcuated for snug disposition against the rear of the wearers head, said face-receiving portion having a pair of pipe sections opening at one end into the interior of the mask, each pipe section being engaged at its opposite end with a hose section, a collar member, a tubing section retained by said collar member in communication with each hose section to present the inner end of the tubing section in spaced relation to the outer end of the associated hose section, a check valve provided in the space between each tubing section and its related hose section, the end of one hose section being marginally recessed whereby the related valve will be in normally open position to permit entry of air into the mask, the end of the tubing section confronting the marginally recessed end of the one hose section being substantially co-planar, so that when the valve is presented thereagainst air cannot escape, the end of the other hose section being substantially co-planar and with the confronting end margin of the related tubing section being marginally recessed.

5. A breathing mask as described in claim 4 wherein one fastener element is provided with a hook member and the other fastener element is provided with a projecting tongue having a plurality of spaced apertures for selected engagement in one end thereof of the hook member.

6. A breathing mask for under water usage comprising a flexible, full-face receiving portion adapted for snug engagement about the wearers face, having a pair of relatively short pipe sections integrally formed therewith and opening at one end into the interior of the mask adjacent the Wearers nostrils, said pipe sections being flexible and extending laterally in opposite directions from said face-receiving portion, a hose section engaged to each pipe section at its outer end, a sleeve-forming member engaging each hose section at its outer end to the inner end of a flexible tubing section, the outer end margin of each hose section being maintained spacedly from the inner end of the related tubing section, a ball check valve accommodated in the space between the hose sections and the associated tubing sections, the outer end margin of one of said hose sections being co-planar and the opposed end margin of the related tubing sections being marginally recessed, the outer end margin of the other of said hose 1 sections being marginally recessed with the opposed end margin of the related tubing section being co-planar, whereby one of said ball check valves will normally retain its related hose section in closed condition and the other of said ball check valves will normally retain its related hose section in open condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 94,905 Neven Sept. 14, 1869 156,559 Schmitz Nov. 3, 1874 183,521 Weck Oct. 24, 1876 760,880 Lawson May'24, 1904 1,197,115 Fell et al. Sept. 5, 1916 1,324,514 Muller Dec. 9, 1919 1,429,773 Reiter Sept. 19, 1922 1,824,512 Szamier Sept. 22, 1931 1,946,126 Black Feb. 6, 1934 2,039,234 Malcom Apr. 28, 1936 2,317,236 Wilen et al. Apr. 20, 1943 2,317,237 Wilen Apr. 20, 1943 2,408,166 Hawkins Sept. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 486,479 Great Britain June 3, 1938 736,745 France Sept. 26, 1932 888,273 France Aug. 30, 1943 

